Yeah, I admit the alternative would have been worse, but as a pothead, I don't have much love for Obama. Especially after he laughed at the people asking him about it. I must not have a sense of humor, because I don't see what's so funny about denying sick people their medicine.

Judging by the character he's shown through countless news articles, media appearances, and his writings, Barack Obama does not seem to be the type of man to lie completely about his views to satisfy his political career. He does bend his views, but never completely yields on his stance.

Marijuana legalization is not an issue that Obama wants to deal with right now, especially with all of the more critical issues today.

He's already admitted to using coke. That makes me believe that he probably has a pretty liberal view on drugs. I find it hard to believe that he would have experience with coke and not with grass.

He isn't a dummy and I believe he would absolutely conceal his views about something like marijuana legalization. I'll bet you're right too; if he is concealing his view on marijuana, I'll bet that case would be the exception rather than the rule.

No doubt he probably wouldn't want to deal with marijuana legalization even if he is for it...he addressed healthcare and was criticized for doing that ahead of job creation.

Then wait for his second term perhaps? The system makes it so that he'll have little to lose at that point. The issue is if the rest of the system will be set up in his favor by then.

That said, its not like anyone in politics has the balls required to levy an advantage anyways when it is present, instead squandering it in hopes to keep it, but losing it before they ever do anything with it.

I don't think it needs to be legalized, just decriminalized. There still needs to be some restrictions and repercussions for people who carry large amounts and do stupid shit/make stupid decisions while high. If it's legalized, people might start acting irresponsible just because they can, and then blame it on the weed, and then we're back to where we started from.

What's wrong with legalizing then heavily regulating it like alcohol? I'm from Canada where it basically is decriminalized yet a lot of the problems associated with marijuana still exist.

THe government collects no taxes from people selling it, organized crime gets rich and powerful, it is more available to children, and since it is illegal, no one has been able to tell us how much is safe to smoke before driving, etc.

Additionally, keeping it's supply and distribution in the hands of criminals means that pot smokers are often exposed to other harder drugs they would otherwise have no interest in. When you know the government is lying about the negative effects of weed who's to say they aren't lying about meth too? Why not try it and see for yourself? I have a meth addict friend who had his life basically destroyed because he thought the government was exaggerating the dangers of ALL drugs, not just weed.

The government destroys their own credibility in areas where people do need to be educated about real dangers like methamphetamines.

He sent out a memorandum to DEA field offices to not focus primary efforts on medical marijuana dispensaries. However, since then there have been continual raids on co-ops and dispensaries in both California and Colorado.

Well that's shitty! At least it's a small change if they're not primarily focused on the dispensaries. Maybe he can't look too soft on marijuana? I want to believe Obama is cool and people keep giving me facts and all that bullshit!

I think this comic kind of captures his possible ulterior motive-- as plato1123 mentions, letting it become a state's rights issue but knowing that it will domino in favor of legalization. A sly political move to keep his hands from getting dirty and a nod from the "small federal power" camp, while getting what I'm sure he understands is best for America.

To wit, in the comic he doesn't respond to Biden with an explanation why cannabis is good and should be legal; he quietly gives a knowing smile and lets it happen.

edit: I should mention that an earlier version of this had no joint or red eyes, which I just noticed; I thought this was a re-post. I prefer the original because it falls in with my above analysis, whereas this is just a little too tacky to be meaningful.

And it will be, but only after it becomes impractical for it to exist in the first place. Because I believe states will legalize it, and when enough do or it becomes enough of a problem, the conversation will be about whether the decision is a federal or a state one.

I mean, I'm pretty progressive and am generally fine with a robust federal government, but I also am pretty sure that these are the kinds of decisions that should be ceded to states.

He CAN NOT take a stance on this issue until he gets reelected. After that, I predict that he will make it much easier for states to do their own thing. What we need to do in the mean time is set up the opportunities for ourselves in our own individual states. Change needs to come slowly, if it is to last at all.